Denbies

Sainsbury’s first own label English wine has hit the shelves running. A sparkling wine from Denbies in Dorking, English Sparkling Brut 2007 will be appearing in the Taste the Difference range.

Created from the classic trio of Champagne varietals under the guidance of winemaker John Worontschak to a brief set by Sainsbury’s Lucy Clements, the supermarket is so keen it’s pre-ordered the next two vintages to cope with demand.

This year’s European Wine Bloggers' Conference kicks off on Friday in the northern Italian city of Brescia in Franciacorta with a sell-out Sparkling Wine Masterclass, including a brace of English bubblies.

Fresh from its top podium position in Thesis, the Dutch wine competition, RidgeView’s Cavendish 2009 will be joined by Denbies’’ Cubitt Reserve 2006, its first Pinot Noir sparkler, with the duo rubbing shoulders against pairs of Champagnes, top Cavas, plus two sparklers from pioneering New York wineries and a vintage Franciacorta fizz.

With less than 72 hours to go, have you made your plans for the Big Day? For those not planning to don their tiaras and tails for Denbies Wedding Celebration Ball, here's my definitively selective, significantly random round-up.

DrinkBritain.com’s new Producer of the Week, Denbies, has become the first English winery to be commissioned to produce a range of wines for a top restaurant. From spring 2011, Michelin-starred Bingham Hotel has chosen three wines to serve alongside its British-influenced menu.

Beginning with a light house white – an aromatic blend of fragrant Muller Thurgau with textured Ortega – and a more complex white – a blend of the estate’s new Chardonnay and Bacchus which has been aged in oak – the trio will be joined in the Autumn by a Pinot Noir.

It’s official, Surrey Hill Brewery will be moving to Denbies Wine Estate with the first brew in its new home emerging in the New Year.

Surrey Hills Brewery, perhaps best known for its appropriately-named Shere Drop beer (it is currently located near Shere), will remain independent. Needing to move to keep up with demand, founder Ross Hunter said he was “delighted” with the chance to team up with Denbies.